Economic impact analysis of Central Queensland University

Higher education can make a significant contribution to regional economies through both direct and indirect impacts. In this paper the issues involved in assessing the economic impact of Central Queensland University on different regional areas are discussed. Variations in impacts across campuses are expected according to the different mixes of domestic and international students. Data from two national survey reports concerning student income and living expenses are summarized to provide some estimates of primary expenditure drivers. While previous studies from other Australian universities provide some benchmark data, Central Queensland University has some distinct attributes such as its large funding from international students and its multi-campus organisational structure.